Up All Night Tour
The Up All Night Tour[1] was the first headlining concert tour by English-Irish boy band One Direction, in support of their debut studio album, Up All Night (2011). It began in December 2011 and was One Direction's first solo tour after being formed in the seventh series of The X Factor and being signed to Syco Records. The concert tour was announced in September 2011, with the initial dates for UK and Ireland being revealed. The tour eventually expanded to Oceania and North America, with the band playing 54 shows in total.
Associated album
The setlist encompassed songs from One Direction's debut album and five covers. Critics commended One Direction's singing abilities and stage presence, and the production of the show. The tour was commercially successful, and a recording of the concert at the Bournemouth International Centre was made for Up All Night: The Live Tour, which was released on DVD in May 2012. The DVD was a commercial success, topping the charts in twenty-five countries, and made chart history in the US. By August 2012, the video album had sold in excess of one million copies worldwide.
Background[edit]
After being formed and finishing third in the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010,[2] One Direction were signed to Syco Music. The group and nine other contestants from the series participated in The X Factor Live Tour 2011 from February 2011 to April 2011. The tour saw the group performing for 500,000 people throughout the UK.[3] While performing on The X Factor Live Tour 2011 in April 2011, the group revealed that they would be embarking on a solo tour "soon".[4]
One Direction's debut headline UK concert tour, the Up All Night Tour, was officially announced on 27 September 2011. Set for December 2011 and January 2012, the tour would showcase their then-upcoming debut album, and would commence on 18 December 2011 in Watford, England and end on 26 January 2012 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. One Direction announced the solo tour shortly after releasing their first single, "What Makes You Beautiful".[5] Shows in the UK and Ireland were instant sell-outs causing additional shows to be added.[6] In February 2012, One Direction announced the Oceania leg, with tour dates scheduled for April 2012, visiting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington.[7] While promoting the tour, band member Liam Payne stated the group wanted this trek to be a "world tour".[8] Once the first leg of the tour was complete, the band joined Big Time Rush as the opening act on the Better With U Tour.[9]
During a break from concerts, One Direction promoted their album in the United States. Following an appearance on The Today Show, Up All Night was released in the US and One Direction became the first ever UK group to have their debut album bow atop the Billboard 200.[10] This led to the group extending the tour into North America. On 21 March 2012, One Direction announced the North American leg of the tour.[11] The North American leg would start on 24 May 2012 and comprise 26 shows. Shortly after, English singer-songwriter Olly Murs was confirmed to be the opening act for select dates on the tour.[12][13]